Stirrup.



PATENTED MAR. 17, 1903.

H. NIKOLAISEN.

STIRRUP.

APPLICATION FILED 001.27, 1902.

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HANS NIKOLAISEN, OF EARLVILIJE, ILLINOIS.

STIRRU P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent'No. 722,877, dated March 17, 1903. Application filed October 27, 1902. Serial No. 128.989. (N0 model.)

devices hereinafter described and claimed. The object of my invention is to provide a stirrup with a guard for retaining the foot of the rider in the stirrup under ordinary conditions, which guard is adapted to automatically open the outer side of the stirrup-frame when the foot of the rider ceases to press on the stirrup, as in the event of the riders falling from the horse or being thrown, whereby the danger of being dr gged by the stirrup is avoided.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a stirrup embodying my improvements, the guard being shown in elevated position in full lines and in a lowered position in dotted lines; and Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

The foot-piece 1 and frame 2 of the stirrup may be either of the form shown or of any other suitable form or construction. The outer side of the frame of the stirrup, above the foot-piece, is open, and on the outer side of the foot-piece is a pivoted guard 3. The same is here shown as secured on a shaft 4:, which has its bearing in one side of the frame and is provided at its inner end with a crank 5, which operates in an opening 6, formed midway, or substantially so, in the foot-piece. On the said crank is mounted a tread device 7, which is here shown as a tread-wheel having a corrugated or roughened periphery. The weight of the guard 3 is such that the same more than counterbalances the tread device, so that when the latter is not depressed by the foot of the rider the guard drops to thelowered position, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1,) thereby opening the outer side of the stirrup and releasing the same automatically from the foot of the rider, and hence avoiding the possibility of his being dragged in the event that he falls or is thrown from v.his mount. A stop 8 is here shown, which projects from the outer side of the stud at a suitable distance below the guard 3 and is engaged by the latter when the same is sufficiently lowered to open the outer side of the stirrup.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent, it is thought,without requiring a more extended explanation.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise construction and combination of devices here shown and described, as it is evident that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fullydescribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. A stirrup having a pivoted weight-guard and a tread device connected thereto to maintain the guard in elevated position when pressed by the foot of the rider and to release the guard when the foot-pressure is removed, substantially as described.

2. A stirrup having a frame with an opening in one side above the foot-piece, a pivoted guard at the said side of the frame to project above the foot-piece, and a tread device connected thereto and counterbalanced thereby, whereby when said tread device is relieved of the foot-pressure of the rider, said pivoted guard is turned automatically to clear said opening, substantially as described.

3. A stirrup having a pivoted counterbalancing guard provided with a crank, and a tread device carried by the crank, substantially as described.

at. A stirrup having a pivoted counterbalancing guard on one side thereof provided with a crank, and a tread device carried by and revoluble on the crank, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HANS NIKOLAISEN.

Witnesses:

WILIAM Kossnnr, GEORGE S. WILEY. 

